Skip the Red Tape: Use an Exemption Certificate to Launch Your Glampsite Faster

Starting a glampsite or small camping retreat is an exciting venture—but dealing with full planning permission can quickly drain time, money, and motivation. Fortunately, there’s a faster, more streamlined alternative: applying for an exemption certificate through Campfire Companions Club.

Why Consider an Exemption Instead of Planning Permission?

• Faster approval – Traditional planning permission can take months, involve multiple consultations, objections, surveys, and costly revisions. Exemption certificates dramatically shorten that journey.

• Lower costs – Avoid hefty fees for architects, consultants, and resubmissions. Exemptions offer a clear, fixed cost from the outset.

• Legal recognition – Certified campsites operate under national authority (such as Natural England or the Welsh Government), giving you legal cover without navigating complex council procedures.

What Campfire Companions Club Provides

Campfire Companions Club helps landowners establish legally certified camping and glamping sites through exemptions. They support a range of site types, including:

• Camping – Between 5 and 50 tent pitches

• Motorhomes / Caravans – Up to 5 vehicles

• Glamping – Up to 5 structures (yurts, pods, cabins, etc.)

• Combined Sites – Mix camping with motorhomes or glamping

The Process: Simple & Guided

1. Choose your exemption type

2. Complete an application

3. Receive a site visit and desktop review

4. If approved, receive your exemption certificate

They even manage contacts with neighbours and local councils, reducing the stress of potential objections.

Transparent Costs

• Site assessment visit – £200 + mileage (25p per mile)

• Annual exemption licence fees

  • Camping – £250

  • Motorhome/Caravan – £300

  • Glamping – £400

  • Camping + Motorhome – £450

  • Camping + Glamping – £500

Membership also includes ongoing advice and resources to help your site grow.

Important Considerations

• You must operate within the limits of your certificate (e.g. number of pitches or units).

• Health, safety and environmental compliance is still required—exemptions simplify planning, not responsible operation.

• Community and site suitability are still assessed to ensure long-term viability.

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In short: If you want to open a glampsite or unique outdoor retreat without the delays and uncertainty of planning permission, an exemption certificate through Campfire Companions Club offers a faster, clearer path to launch.

Visit Campfire Companions Club to begin your application:
👉 https://www.campfirecompanionsclub.co.uk/